A fiber array unit (FAU) includes a substrate, a plurality of optical fibers, and a lid. The substrate includes: an optical window extending through a layer of non-transparent material, a plurality of grooves, and an alignment protrusion configured to mate with an alignment receiver. The plurality of optical fibers are disposed in the plurality of grooves. The alignment protrusion is configured to align the plurality of optical fibers with an external device when mated with the alignment receiver. The plurality of optical fibers is disposed between the lid and the substrate.

A fiber array unit (FAU) includes a substrate, a plurality of optical fibers, and a lid. The substrate includes: an optical window extending through a layer of non-transparent material, a plurality of grooves, and an alignment protrusion configured to mate with an alignment receiver. The plurality of optical fibers are disposed in the plurality of grooves. The alignment protrusion is configured to align the plurality of optical fibers with an external device when mated with the alignment receiver. The plurality of optical fibers is disposed between the lid and the substrate.

Systems and methods for mapping optical connections in an FDH are disclosed. An example system includes an FDH and a computing device. The FDH includes a bulkhead having: a plurality of passive optical couplers each having a respective first port to receive a respective first optical fiber, a respective second port to receive a respective second optical fiber, and a respective passive optical activity indicator configured to expose first light propagating in the respective first optical fiber, and second light propagating in the respective second optical fiber; and an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of passive optical activity indicators. The computing device configured to, based on the one or more images, determine which of the plurality of passive optical couplers are receiving a first optical signal at their respective first port and/or receiving a second optical signal at their respective second port.

Systems and methods for mapping optical connections in an FDH are disclosed. An example system includes an FDH and a computing device. The FDH includes a bulkhead having: a plurality of passive optical couplers each having a respective first port to receive a respective first optical fiber, a respective second port to receive a respective second optical fiber, and a respective passive optical activity indicator configured to expose first light propagating in the respective first optical fiber, and second light propagating in the respective second optical fiber; and an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of passive optical activity indicators. The computing device configured to, based on the one or more images, determine which of the plurality of passive optical couplers are receiving a first optical signal at their respective first port and/or receiving a second optical signal at their respective second port.

A fiber optic ferrule having an angled endface is used in a system where the system can detect back reflection if there is an air gap but not if the fiber optic ferrule is physically mated to another optical device such as a fiber optic ferrule or transceiver. The angle of the end face is preferably between 3 and 5° and most preferably about 4° for most systems. No special detection equipment is needed to infer and determine an acceptable physical contact between two mated fiber-optic ferrules having the angled end faces.

A data communication network includes a plurality of network nodes and a processor. The network nodes each include an optical link and a reflectometry analyzer. The reflection analyzers provide reflectometry results that each provide a characterization of physical and operational properties of the associated optical link. The processor receives the reflectometry results from the reflectometry analyzers, and, for each optical link, analyzes the reflectometry results to determine a fingerprint of the physical and operational properties of the associated optical link. The processor further determines a status for each of the optical links based upon the associated fingerprints, and determines a first path between a first one of the network nodes and a second one of the network nodes based upon a first status of a first optical link in the first path and a second status of a second optical link in the path.

A data communication network includes a plurality of network nodes and a processor. The network nodes each include an optical link and a reflectometry analyzer. The reflection analyzers provide reflectometry results that each provide a characterization of physical and operational properties of the associated optical link. The processor receives the reflectometry results from the reflectometry analyzers, and, for each optical link, analyzes the reflectometry results to determine a fingerprint of the physical and operational properties of the associated optical link. The processor further determines a status for each of the optical links based upon the associated fingerprints, and determines a first path between a first one of the network nodes and a second one of the network nodes based upon a first status of a first optical link in the first path and a second status of a second optical link in the path.

A dark fiber dense wavelength division multiplexing service path design microservice (ddSPDmS) can provide a scalable self-contained meta-data driven approach for a flexible implementation of a dark fiber dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) service path design solution. The service plan design solution can be used as a standalone solution or integrated with a network management application. In order to manage a large volume of circuit designs, multiple microservices can accept application program interface (API) requests in a cloud environment. Permission can then be given to any application to use the API to make a call to the design and inventory. Additionally, metadata templates can be designed to support a node, a link, and/or a topology for the microservices.

A dark fiber dense wavelength division multiplexing service path design microservice (ddSPDmS) can provide a scalable self-contained meta-data driven approach for a flexible implementation of a dark fiber dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) service path design solution. The service plan design solution can be used as a standalone solution or integrated with a network management application. In order to manage a large volume of circuit designs, multiple microservices can accept application program interface (API) requests in a cloud environment. Permission can then be given to any application to use the API to make a call to the design and inventory. Additionally, metadata templates can be designed to support a node, a link, and/or a topology for the microservices.

In order to solve the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication system and a control method that automatically adjust a branching ratio of an optical splitter in accordance with a connection of a new ONU. An optical communication system according to the present invention causes an operation system or a DBA (Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation) function and a determining unit of a branching ratio of an optical splitter to cooperate with each other, adjusts the branching ratio so as to enable ranging with an active ONU, and takes into consideration an initial connection sequence through which an ONU is newly connected.